New Nevirapine Label Underscores the Risk for Hepatotoxicity in Key Populations

The manufacturer of nevirapine, Boehringer Ingelheim, recently sent a letter to healthcare professionals to alert them to important label changes for this agent (see www.viramune.com for both the letter and the revised package insert). Clinicians are advised that HIV-infected women with CD4 counts >250 cells/mm³ are at a 12-fold increased risk for nevirapine-associated adverse events, compared with women with CD4-cell counts below this threshold. The letter also notes that these events frequently are associated with rash and usually occur within the first 18 weeks of treatment -- although pregnant women on stable nevirapine-containing regimens also appear to be at greatly increased risk for liver toxicity.

Dr. John A. Bartlett, Professor of …